This is a discussion on WRX vS IS300?? within the Comparison: WRX vs World forums, part of the Community - Meet other Enthusiasts category; what do you guys think?? I think it's waaaay possible. WRX has a faster 0-60 time. I know if i ...

WRX vS IS300??

what do you guys think?? I think it's waaaay possible. WRX has a faster 0-60 time. I know if i met this guy, and he finds out i have a WRX he'll be like..come on man...let's race. So yup..what do you guys think?

oh contrere mon frereI raced an IS300 starting from 80 mph- 120+ and smoked him.
It was simple. We were at eighty, he pulled to the right to pass slower traffic I followed down-shifting. He had a jump being in front but by the time I hit fifth gear I was up to his drivers door and pulling. As I continued (completely dusting him) he looked over and smiled with his hand in a fist in the air as if to say that this is fun and your car is fast. I gave him the thumbs up as if to say your not doing bad either. It was great!
I backed off at 125 or so he seemed to have kept going I said to myself no-buddy these cops will put me under the jail.
The IS is nice on a roll, but it won't; I repeat it won't beat a WRX on a roll.

Well 0-60 times aren't really a factor in racing(ie road course)...IS300 has a lower first/second gear which allows them to take it to higher speeds in those gears at the expense of initial hit. Anyways, I'm currently debating whether to buy a WRX or an IS300. Luxury means nothing to me and I view the IS as what it is supposed to be(Altezza-a sport sedan not a lower end lux). I like the IS because it has a 2JZ-GE(speaking of which, Dan how come you didn't consider the IS given that you are such a Supra fan?), it's RWD, Toyota reliability...The 2JZ is fairly potent and can make loads of power and still be daily driven. WRX has that nice boxer EJ20T, AWD(though it needs a KAAZ clutch type front LSD), fairly cheaper to mod, but lower hp potential(well... without going in excess like a Rigoli dragger). BTW, has anyone put an anti lift kit on their WRX? I've been making a list of all the performance mods I want and both seem similar with a variability in how much a turbo kit will cost for the IS. Anyone know if XS eng's upcoming kit is similar to the custom one put on the XS engineering modded car in Turbo several months back and how much?...I heard it's like $7500 installed(quite steep...)

Like the others have stated. No contest. If you know how to drive your WRX you will have no trouble smoking an IS300. If your are a good driver you can even beat a GS400 in a 1/4 mile race with a stock WRX.
Learn to launch your WRX off the line and there aren't to many cars that can hang in a short race. Just don't go racing big V8's on the highway with a stock WRX. Thats not what a stock WRX does well.

IS300 food for thought

I'm currently debating whether to buy a WRX or an IS300. Luxury means nothing to me and I view the IS as what it is supposed to be(Altezza-a sport sedan not a lower end lux). / I've been making a list of all the performance mods I want and both seem similar with a variability in how much a turbo kit will cost for the IS. Anyone know if XS eng's upcoming kit is similar to the custom one put on the XS engineering modded car in Turbo several months back and how much?...I heard it's like $7500 installed(quite steep...)

I think you answered you own question. Especially if your looking for performance and not luxury. The IS300 is a sweet car and it does have the 2JZ-GE motor which can be modded like crazy. The draw back to this is the cost for those mods, and the question if the drive train can handle the mods. If you have the money and are willing to spend it I say go for it. However you can have less then $30K total investment in the WRX and be making 320hp. How much will it cost to bring the IS300 to this level? Not to mention the extra $6K for just the car.

The IS300 is a beautiful car, inside and out, and it has lots of cool features like HID headlamps, clear tamps, neat (or ugly depending) chronograph gauges, and a nice sound system.
The Lexus is not a fast car or even a great handling car.
C&D said that if it was aimed at the 3-series BMW, Lexus had their work cut out for them and with some 2nd generation refinements it could be on par with the 3 in the handling department.

You gotta go for what you like. The WRX is a way faster and better handling car and it is less expensive, though.

Actually in Canada the IS300 and WRX are pretty much the same price(strange isn't it?). HID lamps are a plus, and can someone confirm about IS300's fly by wire throttle system or am I imaginating things? I think there are steering ECU piggybacks to sharpen the feel of the IS(ie via power steering intervention). Mods for the IS will definately be pricier in general...even the short shifters are ridiculous...$270 for a Prolex. Anyone want to answer me on the anti-lift castor kit(ie anyone have one put in and comment on it)? By the way, who wants a harness bar like the Speedware one in the Sparco car say "aye"?.....AYE..hehe

I ALMOST bought an IS300 when they came out. I REALLY liked it and was planing of doing a 2JZ-GTE Supra 6 speed swap into one but it proved to be very complex in terms of the ECU. Toyota uses mutioplex computers in their Lexus cars which means you have about 12 computers in there, one for each item. It makes things incredibly difficult to work with in terms of engine management is concerned. We have it quite easy in comparison. On the other hand the chassis is about as balanced as I have ever encountered and the brakes are superb on the car. I would say for sure the IS300 is a better track car if prepared properly. If only it had the 1JZ turbo motor from the JDM only JZX110 Chaser. Now THAT is a cool car!!!

Hi, n00bie here, and current IS300 owner... looking to buy a 2nd car, and i'm thinking the WRX STI may be it (don't want to wait though ).

For those of you who are taking all your factoids from magazines and reviews, let me shed a little light on the situation (and feel free to ask me questions as I know a lot about the IS and it's internals): The IS is hands-down one of the most fun cars to drive in it's class today. The car loves to be whipped around, it's appetite only limited by the grip of whatever rubber your wheels are shod with. I'm an unfortunate soul who bought the car w/ 16" wheels instead of the 17" (equal option, but the 16 are all season tires stock vs the 17 are summer-only stock) due to my outdoor-livestyle. I didn't want to deal w/ bent wheels, and bubbled tires as I do some rough/dirt roads often, and 16" are better in snow.
wow, I'm babbling. Anyway, there's no way, either on a straight, or a road course that teh IS can beat a WRX... the wrx just has too much of a speed advantage for the IS's handling to make up for. The IS is targeted at what is referred to as a "near-luxury" segment, and thus is sprinkled w/ goodies, but isn't an all out luxe car like some high-end 3-series or A4's.
I tested these 2 cars b4 I bought the IS, and obviously the IS won.
The 325 was slow, and had little the IS did when standard models were compared. the steering was soft, I think because they're targeting more women for sales. The 330 was just out of my price range... speed was nice, handling like the 325, and zero options still put it too expensive in my mind. The A4 wasn't even close to either IMO, so it was knocked out after my first test drive.

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